By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
SEATTLE, Wash. – The Western Washington University 4x400 relay teams took center stage Saturday at the UW Invitational both setting program records and top 10 GNAC marks.
Another solid day of competition for the Vikings included two school records and nine more program top 10 marks.
Both 4x400 relay teams put themselves in solid, if not definite, consideration to advance to compete in nationals that will be held March 13-15 at Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis.
A night after setting the DMR record at the UW Invite, the women's 4x400 relay clocked a time of 3:45.10 to break the school record of 3:47.31 set in mid-January. This marked the third time this season the foursome of Hannah Polkinghorn, Caitlyn Cheney, Kennedy Cook and Bec Bennett set the school record in the event. The time is not only a WWU school record, but tied for 3rd-best in GNAC history and currently No. 10 in the nation (D2).
The men's 4x400 relay shattered the school record with a time of 3:13.10 to better the previous mark of 3:16.37 set in December. Evin Ford, Brian Lee, Maurice Woodringand Isaac Ford recorded the school-record time while placing 3rd among 10 teams in event. The time is currently ranked No. 11 in the nation (D2) and is No. 3 in GNAC history.
The WWU throws crew was also in fine form Saturday with sophomore Noah Turner leading the way setting a PR in the shot put while placing 4th with a throw of 16.26m/53-4.25. Turner moved up to No. 2 in WWU indoor history with his throw. Freshman Kathryn Chapin placed 15th in the shot put with a throw of 12.79m/41-11.5 to rank No. 3 in WWU indoor history and freshman Jessica Polkinghorn made her weight throw debut recording the No. 10 mark in program history at 13.47m/44-2.5.
In addition to running a leg in the 4x400 relay, senior sprinter Caitlyn Cheney advanced to the final of the 60m dash with a prelim time of 7.66 and placed 8th in the final in 7.78.
Hannah Polkinghorn also had a bit part in the 4x400 relay and was equally as impressive in the long jump placing 9th with a leap of 5.57m/18-3.25 to move up to No. 6 in the WWU indoor record book.
Sophomore Owen Windrope impressed in the two-day, seven-event heptathlon placing 4th with 4,230 points to rank No. 6 in WWU history.
Additional program top 10 marks were achieved by Elie Bassett in the Mile (No. 8, 4:59.88), Ian Eifert in the Mile (No. 10, 4:14.85), Corbin Herron in the 400m (No. 7, 49.10) and Cole Riley in the 800m (T-8th, 1:53.29).
A complete rundown of all the WWU marks at the UW Invitational can be found at links below:
With the GNAC Championships looming in two weeks, the Vikings will mainly take next weekend off with just a few multi athletes competing at the Riverfront Multis in Spokane February 6-8. The GNAC Championships will be held February 17-18 at The Podium in Spokane. The complete indoor schedule is available online at WWUVikings.com.
